The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has charged Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov with aiding terrorist activities, and proceedings have been initiated to issue an international warrant for his arrest, the FSB press office reported.

Key information known at this time...

Charges filed

• Durov has been charged as part of an ongoing criminal investigation under Article 205.1 of the Russian Criminal Code (Facilitating Terrorist Activities), the press office said.
• According to the FSB, he has been placed on an international wanted list.
• The press office also noted that, in violation of Russian law, Telegram’s administration has failed to remove numerous channels, chats, and bots on the messaging platform that are actively used by Ukrainian intelligence agencies, terrorist and extremist organizations to prepare and coordinate acts of sabotage and terrorism, mass murder, and cyberfraud in Russia. These actions have resulted in numerous casualties, including women and children, as well as billions of dollars in damage.
• Article 205.1 of the Russian Criminal Code establishes liability for inciting, recruiting, or otherwise involving a person in the commission of at least one terrorist offense, and stipulates a sentence of eight to 15 years of imprisonment, with a possible additional fine of up to 700,000 rubles (about 8,832 dollars) or an amount equal to the convicted person’s income for a period of two to four years, or life imprisonment.

About case

• In February 2026, Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported, citing FSB materials, that Durov was under investigation as part of a criminal case on aiding terrorism.
• The FSB materials noted that since 2022, 153,000 crimes committed using Telegram had been recorded in Russia, including the organization of the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, the murders of Daria Dugina, Maxim Fomin (Vladlen Tatarsky), and nine high-ranking defense officials, including Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of the Russian Armed Forces’ Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) Protection Troops, as well as the organization of bombings and arson attacks on military registration and enlistment offices.
• Over the past few years, the FSB has prevented 475 terrorist attacks that were being planned via Telegram, including 61 mass killings by teenagers in schools.
• In addition, approximately 700 direct threats against family members of Russian servicemen were recorded.
• Over the past few years, Russia's mass media and telecommunications watchdog (Roskomnadzor) has sent more than 150,000 requests to Durov’s team demanding the removal of illegal content, but these were ignored.

Lawyer’s opinion

• Durov could face life imprisonment in Russia if found guilty, lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov said.
• He noted that during the investigation, Durov could also face charges under other articles of the Russian Criminal Code.
• Zherebenkov did not rule out the possibility that Durov could be arrested in absentia on Russian territory.
• According to him, this is a standard procedure required for extradition.
• The lawyer clarified that the court arrests a person in absentia, after which law enforcement agencies begin seeking his extradition to Russia, including through Interpol.

French law bars extradition of citizens to third countries, lawyer says

France cannot extradite its own citizens to third countries because its law prohibits such transfers, French lawyer Philippe de Veulle explained, commenting on Russia’s terrorism-related charges against Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov.

"Article 696-4 of France’s Code of Criminal Procedure prohibits the extradition of French nationals. However, a domestic criminal investigation may be opened if the offense is also punishable under French law," de Veulle said.

In addition to Russia and France, Durov also holds the citizenship of the United Arab Emirates and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

De Veulle added that even if Interpol issued a red notice at Russia’s request, it would not be immediately enforceable in France. "A red notice is subject to additional review. French prosecutors and judicial authorities would examine, in particular, whether the alleged offense constitutes a crime under French law. Interpol would also review the request because Article 3 of the organization's constitution prohibits it from undertaking activities of a political, military, religious or racial character," he said.

According to de Veulle, if French authorities conclude that the case is politically motivated or that the alleged conduct does not constitute a crime under French law, they may decline to take further action, including detaining the individual. "It is up to the French prosecution authorities to decide what action will be taken within the country," he said.

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